Found this in my son's school magazine. Doubt the little boys and girls in the school can really understand the meaning of this..
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by
the things that you didn't do than the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines,
sail away from the safe harbour.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, Dream and Discover.
Mark Twain, attributed.
I suddenly remembered this conversation that I had with my mother a decade ago, when my mother cared to acknowledge that I had a boyfriend at the age of 21, (i.e.my husband).
She had asked me whether I was in a 'serious' relationship.
And when I truthfully answered 'yes' (I can never lie to my mother, you see), she said, " Are you sure you want to be in a serious relationship? There are so many things that you can do in this world before you want to 'settle down'.."
And in all the glory of a young woman blinded by love and her naivety in the ways of the world, I answered, "Of course, I'm sure. I can always do things together with him. That's not a problem..."
And my mother just kept quiet when I answered her so confidently. But even if she did try to persuade me, I doubt that anyone in this world could make the young and hot blooded that I was ever listen to reason anyway...
But what IF she did try to talk me out of any of my decisions and what IF she succeeded? Would I have turned my sails to another direction and caught the racing winds and sailed to a completely different destination?
Funny how this conversation is etched in my mind so clearly now, like it happened yesterday.
Regrets?
No...not me. Just that this conversation means so much more to me now than it had then, definitely.
She had asked me whether I was in a 'serious' relationship.
And when I truthfully answered 'yes' (I can never lie to my mother, you see), she said, " Are you sure you want to be in a serious relationship? There are so many things that you can do in this world before you want to 'settle down'.."
And in all the glory of a young woman blinded by love and her naivety in the ways of the world, I answered, "Of course, I'm sure. I can always do things together with him. That's not a problem..."
And my mother just kept quiet when I answered her so confidently. But even if she did try to persuade me, I doubt that anyone in this world could make the young and hot blooded that I was ever listen to reason anyway...
But what IF she did try to talk me out of any of my decisions and what IF she succeeded? Would I have turned my sails to another direction and caught the racing winds and sailed to a completely different destination?
Funny how this conversation is etched in my mind so clearly now, like it happened yesterday.
Regrets?
No...not me. Just that this conversation means so much more to me now than it had then, definitely.
6 comments:
Well one thing's fer sure - "The Malaysian Housewife In London" would never have been born! ;P
IF is really a big word .. ain't it?
Your entry somehow reminded me of Frodo's conversation with Gandalf in the Mines of Moria. Dunno why..
Frodo: "I wish the Ring hadn't come to me."
Gandalf: "So do all who see such times. But that is not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
Wise wizard.
I'm going thru my own WHAT IF moment also. But snapping myself out of it...kena terima semua yg terjadi, dah tersurat, takdir.
I think you should be grateful with the life you live now. I am very sure you have a responsible and loving hubby and 2 lovely and healthy sons....and see, you're now living in London..a place which many of us only dream on!!
You made the right choice..
flowerin: Maybe I have been destined to create this blog no matter what happened 10 years ago! :D
Ayu: wow..u ingat conversation tu..sabar je lah...mmg lah u ni peminat habis cerita tu!
Along: Only too true...you're being very strong about what has happened to you...there is always a next time, inshaAllah..yes? :)
Nik:
Believe me, I AM grateful! :) But sometimes..the heart longs for some adventure....tu je.
Anyway, my point was, now I actually KNOW what she was talking about..dulu, I simply brushed off what she said, without giving it a second thought!!
But with my wisdom (or lack of it) at the time, I would probably have made the same decision, even after thinking hard about it...:)
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